Varicolored light



' Feb. 7, 1939. H. DAWS 2,146,422

VARICOLORED LIGHT Filed Dec. 22, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR A c/vycilQad/Q w Patented Feb. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in vari-colored lighting units, and it is among the objects thereof to provide a unit light bulb which changes color automatically and 5 continuously in a predetermined cycle.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a plurality of incandescent colored light tubes within a glass housing" of bulbous shape in which the tubes are successively energized to prolu duce a different color effect in the bulb.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of means within the above mentioned vari-colored lighting unit for successively energizing and deenergizing the several light tubes in successive cycles and reverse order, and to provide simple and inexpensive mechanism for carrying out this function.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent from a consideration of 2 the accompanying drawings constituting a part hereof in which like reference characters designate like parts and in which:

Fig. l is a plan view partially in section of a vari-colored lighting unit embodying the prin- 25 ciples of this invention;

Fig. 2 a side elevational view thereof showing the glass bulb or housing in section;

Fig. 3 a plan view of the control unit located in the base;

30 Fig. 4 a side elevation of the control switch and end portions of a thermal element;

Fig. 5 a plan view of the switch element;

Fig. 6 an end elevation of a portion of the switch;

:5 Fig. '7 a plan view of a portion of the annular incandescent colored lighting tubes;

Fig. 8 a cross-section of the tube of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 a side elevational view of the supporting frame for the tube; and

40 Fig. 10 a diagrammatic View of the electrical connections of the tube and control mechanism.

The vari-colored lighting unit comprises a plurality of annular incandescent light tubes mounted in superposed relation as shown in Fig. 2

45 supported by wire stanchions 2 on a base 3 of insulating material such as the well known phenolic condensation product. The tubes l are independent lighting units of different colors housed within a frosted glass bulb 4 which may be detachably 50 or permanently secured to the insulating base 3.

With reference to Fig. 9 of the drawings, the tubes l are supported on a wire frame 5 forming hook-like elements 6 for engaging the tubes l, the lower one of which is shown in assembled posi- 55 tion. The tubes of colored glass are provided with a filament 1 having terminals 8 and 9, the ills.- ment 1 being disposed centrally of the tube and spaced from the walls thereof by mica disks In or other suitable means.

A control mechanism for independently ener- 5 gizing the colored tubes is shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10 of the drawings, and consists of a bimetallic member of annular form, the outer section being a metal strip of relatively high thermal expansion such as brass and the inner section 10 I2 a metal strip of relatively low thermal expansion such as iron, the metal strips H and |2 being fused together and enclosed within a coil l3 of insulated resistant wire arranged to heat the band and expand it uniformly. One end of the band is 5 anchored in a block M, Fig. 4, the other end l5 being free to move. The end l5 is provided with a depending arm I6 which is perforated to receive a terminal pin that is biased by a leaf spring I8 against a switch bar IS. The switch bars or go terminals |9 are in multiples corresponding to the number of colored tubes in the lighting unit and are separated by suitable insulating material as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The terminal pin H is adapted to traverse across the bars l9 between a pair of stops 2| and 22 which constitute switch terminals for the insulated resistance wire l3 of the iii-metallic element. The terminals 2| and 22 are shaped in the manner shown in Fig. 6 having in-turned ends and common runners 23 for grippingly engaging slots 24 of insulating base 25 that supports the terminal bars IS. The ends 23 of stops 2| and 22 constitute runners in the slot 24 of the switch block 25. A metal lining 26 in two sections, the one to which pigtail 30 is connected being the shorter is provided in'groove 24, the lining being interrupted to form a gap at one end of each runner 23 which breaks the circuit of the resistance coil. |3'. When arm l6 abuts the switch stop 22, the metal unit, or sliding switch, 40 composed of stops 2| and 22 on common gripping runners 23 is moved, by means of continued expansion of members II and i2, away from the shorter section of the metal lining 26 around the gap, disconnecting the resistance coil circuit so that the resistance will be deenergized, permitting the bimetallic strips to cool and causing the element to contract, and when stop l6 again abuts the member 2|, the circuit of resistance coil 13 will be energized to again heat the bi-metalllc unit to cause expansion and further movement of arm l6.

Fig. 10 diagrammatically illustrates filaments l of the tubes as connected by a negative lead 21 to the fixed end 28 of the resistance coil l3. A posill tive lead 29 runs through the bi-metallic member I I and I2, the depending arm I6 and the terminal pin which moves upon the filament switch plates I9 and to the longer section of the metal lining 26 in groove 24 in the sides of the filament switch block 25. A pigtail 30 connects the other section of the runway 24 with the movable end of the resistance coil I3. I

The operation of the above described varicolored light bulb is briefly as follows:

The unit is screwed in a standard terminal socket as any other light bulb and switch arm IE will be in the contracted position with the terminal pin I'l contacting one of the switch plates I9 to energize one of the colored tubes. Simultaneously, resistant coil I3 will be energized, heating the bi-metallic unit and causing expansion thereof to effect a corresponding movement of terminal pin I! from the switch plate I9 to the next adjacent plate thereby breaking the circuit of one bulb and making the circuit of another. Making and breaking of the annular colored light bulb circuits is continued until the switch arm I6 abuts the switch terminal 22 thereby deenergizing the circuit of resistance coil I3 causing cooling of the bi-metallic member and consequent opening of the ring with the movement of arm I6 in the opposite direction. Such movement of arm I6 will again cause the terminal pin I! to traverse switch plates I9, to efiect successive lighting of the different colored tubes I until arm I6 abuts stop 2I in its ultimate contracted position when the circuit of resistance coil I3 will again be energized to heat the bimetallic member and cause repetition of the cycle of successive lighting in both directions of move ment produced by the bi-metallic unit.

The frosted glass bulb 4 housing the colored tubes I will appear as any other lighting unit, and will assume the difierent colors in accordance with the energization of the respective colored tubes. It will be noted that the colored tubes are incandescent by direct current instead of by induction. The frosted bulb and colored tubes may be constructed so as to be detachable and replaceable in the event of filament burn-outs.

While due to inaccuracy in manufacture, a group of these lamps cannot be expected to operate synchronously for any length of time, it is apparent that if operated in conjunction with a master switch controlling a group they will perform with sufficient regularity. By periodically disconnecting the entire circuit to cause a general contraction of the bi-metallic element, a uniform start may be effected upon reconnection. If a master switch be omitted, the aforementioned irregularity will present an unusual and attractive display in color harmony in unending variatlon.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description of this invention that multi-colored light units may be economically produced for display purposes with unlimited variety in colors and at a minimum expense. The units furth'erpermit operation in groups without interrupting the lighting display if one of the units burns out or is disconnected.

Although one embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the details of construction without departing from the principles herein set forth.

I claim:

1. A vari-colored illuminating device comprising a plurality of colored incandescent light tubes mounted on an insulating base, a glass housing for said tubes, and a control switch in said base for energizing the circuits of said lighting tubes, said switch comprising a plurality of stationary terminals each connected to one terminal of the several colored tubes and a movable terminal adapted to successively contact said stationary terminals, said movable terminal being mounted on a bi-metallic element having a resistance coil therearound, and terminating in switch blocks disposed in the path of travel of said movable terminal whereupon the resistance coil is alternately energized to heat the bi-metallic element that actuates said movable terminal in its travel across the stationary terminals.

2. A vari-colored illuminating unit comprising a plurality of colored incandescent lighting tubes mounted on an insulating base, having electrical connections for an outlet socket, a bulb housing said tubes, and a control mechanism for energizing and deenergizing said colored lighting tubes, said mechanism comprising a bi-metallic unit having an arm movable in response to expansion and contraction thereof, an electrical terminal carried by said arm, a plurality of stationary terminals connected to said colored light tubes, a resistance coil for heating said bi-metallic element and switch terminals in the path of movement of said movable terminal for energizing and deenergizing said resistance coil to cause successive movement of the movable terminal to make and break the circuits of said colored tubes.

3. A mounting for a plurality of annular shaped incandescent lighting'tubes of different diameter of annulus comprising a wire support having a series of spaced tube engaging elements inclined to receive the incandescent tubes of graduated diameters.

4. A support for a plurality of annular shaped incandescent lighting tubes of different diameters comprising a plurality of angularly spaced inclined supporting members recessed to receive and support the tubular member thereon, whereby when viewed from the side the incandescent tubes have the. appearance of being in superposed relation and when viewed at the top as consisting of a plurality of concentric. incandescent rings.

HARRY C. DAVIS. 

